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Vivian Jacobson

Dec. 10, 1915-Nov. 1, 2008

Vivian A. Jacobson, 92, of Frazee, died Saturday November 1, 2008 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Vivian Rauk was born to Hans and Sophie Rauk on Dec. 10, 1915 in Esmond, N.D. She graduated as salutatorian from Esmond High School at the age of 14, and entered Moorhead State College at the age of 15. She majored in music, dramatics, and education; participating as a member of the choir, orchestra, band, and accompanist as well as taking part in many dramatic works. She also was and continued to be a die-hard sports enthusiast, participating in basketball, softball, and volleyball. She was also an MSC cheerleader.

Vivian graduated after two years and was given a special permit from the North Dakota State Department of Education to teach, because she was just 17 years old. Vivian's first job as a teacher was at a one-room schoolhouse in a Russian community near her hometown of Esmond. She went on to teach another nine years in North Dakota elementary schools, and also taught high school music in Belgrade, Minn., where the choir won national honors. In 1943, she taught at Lake Crystal, Minn., where her choir put on musicals sponsoring bond sales and funding for ARC and the USO.

In 1945 Vivian was named program director of the European Theatre of War. Vivian was honored to play the "Funeral March" with the Bastian Symphony Orchestra while in Corsica for the memorial services of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was also the PR Lady that took championship boxer Billy Cohn for two weeks to each of the units stationed in Corsica, was with Mrs. Patton at the bedside of General Patton when he died, met and took part in General Eisenhower's parades in Europe, accompanied Frank Sinatra and emceed USO shows with Phil Silvers and the original quartet from the musical "Oklahoma." But she always said that the highlight for her at these shows was being the featured performer with the Army Air Force Dance Band.

After 28 months of service, Vivian returned to the USA to prepare for her next assignment at the Taj Mahal, and found she was also accepted to UCLA's drama department. But all that changed with a proposal from Donald E. Jacobson of Coopertown, N.D. They were married and moved to Moorhead, where they raised three children: LeClaire, Lynelle, and Lydell. Vivian resumed teaching in the Moorhead Public Schools for 31 years. She supervised music, piano, and was affiliated with the Tri-College Student Teaching Program, in which she still holds the International record for supervising 225 student teachers.

She was elected to the Minnesota State Music Board in 1979, conducting workshops, counseling in elementary, and in April 1980, was host to the National Music Convention in Minneapolis, where she also was clinician for elementary music reading and programming.

Retiring in 1979, Vivian and her family moved to their home on Lake Six, near Frazee. She continued writing and directing many original musicals, centennial celebrations, and volunteering at several nursing and health care centers. She was president and program chairman of the Golden Agers, a non-denominational group that was sponsored by First Lutheran Church of Detroit Lakes for 22 years. She was also active in Retired Teachers, VFW and other Auxiliaries, church organizations and other unending volunteer effort s.

Survivors include one son, LeClaire (Susan) Jacobson of Fargo; and one daughter, Lynelle Jacobson of Frazee.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Hans and Sophie Rauk, husband Donald; son, Lydell; sisters, Gladys, Evelyn and Helen; and her brother, Palmer.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 7, at the First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, with interment following at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.

Arrangements were entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. Those wanting to share memories and condolences are invited to use the funeral home's online messages of sympathy section at www.westkjos.com.

Survivors include one son, LeClaire (Susan) Jacobson of Fargo, and one daughter, Lynelle Jacobson of Frazee.

Services were held Friday, Nov. 7, at the First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.

Interment will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery, in Detroit Lakes.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.

Those wanting to share memories and condolences are invited to use the funeral home's online messages of sympathy section at www.westkjos.com.